Northern Cebu mayors

Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro

“Yolanda was an eye-opener not only for me but for the people of Daanbantayan. It highlighted the vulnerability of the municipality.” Some structures designated as primary evacuation centers were not strong enough to withstand strong typhoons.

Corro raised the need to “be equipped with back-up communication equipment, such as mobile handheld radios. When Yolanda came, we had difficulty assessing the situation because of the communication blackout.”

He said that after Yolanda, there were many non-government organizations (NGOs) and private groups that didn’t coordinate with the local government unit, and this led to relief goods being distributed in areas that had already received help, while others did not.

“Because of Yolanda, we are now more proactive by participating in trainings related to disaster preparedness; protective by doubling our effort in preserving our marine resources, as well as our forestry; and rehabilitative by restoring our environment by planting mangroves and other trees. We now have a portable weather station, which was donated, that will help monitor any weather disturbance.”

LessonsmayorCorroDaanbantayanARNIBantayan IslandCebuVisayasPhilippinesYolandaTyphoon Yolandasuper typhoonHaiyanofficialLGUmunicipalpolitician